‘Karen’ to make landfall over Quezon-Aurora area on Sunday—Pagasa

Tropical Storm “Karen” (international name Sarika) is expected to make a landfall on Sunday before noon, the weather bureau said early Saturday.

It its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the eye or center of the storm is spotted at around 4 a.m. at 125 km northeast of Virac, Catanduanes.

It has sustained winds of up to 130 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 180 kph, Pagasa added.

The estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 500 km diameter of the typhoon.

Pagasa said it is expected to pass close to Polillo Island Sunday early morning and make landfall over the Quezon-Aurora area later before noon.

Pagasa said tropical storm signal number 3 is still up in Catanduanes.

Signal number 2 is up in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Aurora and Northern Quezon including Polillo Island.

Signal number 1 is up in the following provinces in Luzon:

Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate icluding Ticao and Burias Island, Rest of Quezon, Isabela, Romblon, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Batangas, Laguna, Cavite, Rizal, Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, La Union, Benguet and Ifugao.

In the Visayas, it’s only Northern Samar.

Rainfall advisory in Mindanao has been terminated as of posting.

In Metro Manila, Pagasa said light to moderate and occasional heavy rains are expected today.

The next weather advisory will be issued at 11 a.m., Pagasa said. Totel V. de Jesus, INQUIRER.net